Hawaii Research Tips and Strategies
Hawaii Research Strategies
Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in Hawaii
- Hawaii Online Genealogy Records
- How to find Hawaii Birth Records
- How to find Hawaii Marriage Records
- How to find Hawaii Death Records
Hawaii Research Tips
These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Hawaii.
- Birth information: Statewide registration of births began in 1842 in Hawaii, but most records begin in 1896, with general compliance by 1929. The best substitute record for locating birth information is death records (the majority of death records will list the date of birth of the decedent, and since death certificates are considered a primary resource, they can provide you with the same documentation as a birth certificate). Or, try these other substitute records.
- Finding Parents: Hawaii death records exist as early as 1849. They often will list the parents of the deceased and their birth information. Search Hawaii death records
- Look in all censuses: Always look for your ancestor in every possible census. There are clues regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records. Sometimes parents can be found living with their children later in life. Search U.S. Censuses.
Hawaii Record Finder
This Record Finder is designed to help you determine the best record to search for the type of information you are looking for. It is most helpful for post-1850 research.
| 1. What you are looking for: | 2. Try these records first: | 3. Other useful records |
| Birth information | Birth records, Death records, Obituaries, Church records | Cemeteries, Naturalization and Citizenship, Bible records, Military records (pension) |
| Marriage information | Marriage records, Obituaries, Bible records | Church records, Probate records, Military records |
| Death information | Death Records, Cemeteries, Obituaries | Probate Records, Church Records, Bible Records |
| Parents | Birth records, Death records, Obituaries, Census, Church records | Biography, Genealogy |
| Maiden name | Marriage Records, Obituaries, Probate records | Church Records, Military Records (pension) |
| Immigration date | Emigration and Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship, Census | Obituaries, Biography, History |
| Naturalization | Naturalization and Citizenship, Census, Court Records | Voting Registers, Biography, Periodicals |
| Physical description | Military Records, Naturalization and Citizenship (after 1906) | Biography, History |